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Gastonia Honey Hunters baseball is back. What you need to know as the 2023 season begins.

joe l hughes ii, the gaston gazette
·4 min read

It’s again “Hunting Season” at CaroMont Health Park.

The Gastonia Honey Hunters begin their third season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on Friday, April 28, welcoming the Frederick, Maryland, expansion franchise for a three-game set to open the 2023 campaign.

Gastonia won a league-high 88 games last summer, claiming the franchise’s first division title. Despite such milestones, the Honey Hunters were unable to cap it with a title, falling to the rival High Point Rockers in the South Division Championship series.

In 2023, Gastonia hopes to leave no doubt. Here are a few things to keep an eye on as the Honey Hunters prepare for first pitch.

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Honey Hunters' Returning Players

  • Cole Freeman, infielder: Though only playing 19 games, Freeman hit .324 with a home run, four doubles, a triple and 14 RBIs last season.

  • Zach Jarrett, outfielder: A member of the Atlantic League’s 20-20 club, Jarrett hit .313 last season with 21 home runs, 22 doubles, three triples, 84 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

  • Ian McKinney, pitcher: The 28-year-old left-hander started 14 games last season, finishing 7-4 with a 5.40 ERA. McKinney, who struck out 70 batters in 76 ⅔ innings, will also serve as the team’s pitching coach.

  • Jack Reinheimer, infielder: A 2022 ALPB all-star and member of the league’s all-defensive team, he finished with 12 home runs, 34 doubles and 55 stolen bases for the Honey Hunters last season.

Key acquisitions

  • J.C. Escarra, catcher: Hit .291 last season with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He’ll primarily be utilized as a catcher, though also serviceable at first base.

  • Carlos Franco, infielder: Acquired as a free agent in February, the third baseman batted .298 last season with 30 home runs, 28 doubles and 95 RBIs with the York (Pennsylvania) Revolution.

  • Steven Moya, outfielder: A former major leaguer with the Detroit Tigers, Moya spent the past two seasons in the Nippon Professional Baseball league with the Chunichi Dragons (2018-19) and Orix Buffaloes (2019-21). He hit .229 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs with Orix last season.

  • Sal Romano, pitcher: The 29-year-old has five years experience in the majors, pitching for Cincinnati, Milwaukee and the New York Yankees. He has a 15-21 career record with a 5.23 ERA.

Take me out to the ballgame

Here’s a look at promotions planned by the Honey Hunters for the 2023 baseball season.

Sundrop Sundays: Each Sunday home game pays homage to the beverage, a local favorite once bottled by the nearby Gastonia Bottling Company.

Tail Waggin’ Tuesdays: A new addition to the promotional schedule, fans are permitted to bring their dogs with them for Tuesday games throughout the season.

April 28: Opening Night presented by GSM Services

May 9-11: Week dedicated to Gaston, York schools

May 16-18: Week dedicated to Cleveland, Lincoln schools

May 27: Military appreciation night

May 29: Memorial Day celebration

June 2: Latin Hispanic heritage night

June 3: Art in the Park

June 4: Community day and “Bark in the Park”

June 16: 80’s night

June 17: Classic car night

June 18: Daddy & Me night out; Classic movie night

June 30: Hawaiian night

July 1: Fourth of July celebration

July 14: Christmas in July

July 15: Faith & Family night, including a pregame concert presented by HIS Radio 98.3

July 16: Superhero and Princess night

Aug. 4: Mental health and drug awareness night

Aug. 5: Colors of cancer night

Aug. 6: First responders night

Aug. 18: Rivalry school night

Aug. 19: Honey Hunters’ spirit night and Blackout

Aug. 20: Teacher appreciation night

Sept. 1: Kids' night

Sept. 2: Mascot Bam’s birthday block party

Sept. 3: Mascot Bam’s birthday bash

Sept. 9: Break the attendance record night

Sept. 10: Fan appreciation day

Want tickets?

Single-game tickets are available online at GoHoneyHunters.com or by visiting the team box office located at 800 W. Franklin Blvd. in Gastonia. General admission tickets go for $8 apiece. Bullpen box seats can be purchased for $11, while dugout seats are $15. Home plate box seats are $17.

Honey Hunters' start times, how to pay at the park

  • CaroMont Health Park is a cashless venue, with all transactions done by card.

  • First pitch for games Monday through Saturdays is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Sunday games have a start time of 3:35 p.m.

  • The Honey Hunters have four day games (May 10 and 11, June 14 and Aug. 9) scheduled this season. First pitch for those games is set for 11:35 a.m.

  • Gastonia's only home doubleheader for the season is July 1 when it takes on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia Honey Hunters baseball: Things to know as 2023 season begins